Army Emergency Relief Annual Campaign

Financial security is a key element of a ready and resilient force. The Army Emergency Relief (AER) Annual Campaign is conducted from March 1st through May 15th in order to increase Soldier awareness of this benefit, as well as to give Soldiers the opportunity to help their fellow Soldiers by donating. Local commanders can adjust their campaign dates as their mission dictates.

AER is a private nonprofit organization incorporated in 1942, to relieve financial distress of Soldiers and their dependents. Today, AER provides financial assistance to Soldiers, retirees and their families in the form of interest-free loans and grants in support of a variety of needs including:

AER assistance is available to Soldiers, retirees and their families wherever they are located. Sergeants and above can apply for assistance directly to their local AER section. They should contact their chain of command or local AER office.

Under the AER Command Referral Program, company commanders and first sergeants have the authority to approve AER loans to their Soldiers up to $1,500. Soldiers, retirees and families not near an AER office can seek assistance from the Air Force Aid Society, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance on their respective bases or call the national American Red Cross call center at (877) 272-7337.

What has the Army done?

In 2013, the Army and AER disbursed more than $74 million in total assistance to more than 53,000 active and retired Soldiers and families to meet emergency financial and educational assistance needs.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

The Army supports AER and its annual AER campaign through mission, installation, and garrison commanders and command sergeant majors personally attending campaign kick-off events to increase awareness and offer Soldiers the opportunity to donate to AER.

Why is this important to the Army?

Soldiers, retirees and their families need to know that AER assistance is available in times of financial need. Army Emergency Relief is dedicated to Helping the Army Take Care of Its Own and provides Army leaders a valuable asset in ensuring a ready source of financial assistance to Soldiers and their families.

Quote for the Day

In the Army, you bleed together, you sweat together, you workout together, you hang around in downtown Baghdad in 120 degrees heat in a Humvee for two or three hours -- you go through those things with your crew and it makes you feel close ... [In bobsled] you slide down an icy track in a bathtub with four men in spandex -- you're very close. You get very, very close. It's a brotherhood.

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